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Board approves transfer of property with direction to add park/ball-field restriction
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Summary
The board approved a deed transfer (19c) and instructed counsel to add a restriction that the property remain a ball field or public park; counsel noted the drafted deed lacked the restriction and recommended signatures and a revised posted deed.
The Conneaut SD board voted to approve a deed transfer (agenda item 19c) on April 8, 2026, and directed staff and counsel to add a restriction to the deed specifying the property continue as either a ball field or a public park.
Legal counsel advised the deed as drafted did not include such a restriction and explained that, while a grantee signature or formal closing is not always legally required for a transfer without monetary exchange, the board could (and should) add a restriction to preserve the property’s intended public use. Several board members urged that the restriction be included to protect taxpayer interests and to prevent the grantee from later selling the parcel for another purpose.
Counsel said staff would post a revised deed to the agenda manager and the district’s office would coordinate signatures. The motion to approve the transfer and proceed with the restricted deed language was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
Why it matters: Board members framed the requirement for a restriction as a fiduciary responsibility to protect taxpayer assets and to ensure that property intended for recreation remains available for public use.
Next steps: Counsel will post a revised deed and the district will proceed with signature coordination and recording as appropriate.
